International Development MSc

This programme engages critically with international development
thinking and practice, and more broadly with processes of social, political
and economic transformation throughout the global south.

This programme is designed
to suit the needs of both recent graduates of various disciplines, and
professionals with two to five, or more, years’ experience who want to
shift careers, upgrade their academic qualifications, or take a year out to
reflect critically on their work.

Although most students will move on after
one year to development-related jobs, some may use the programme as
a pathway into our PhD in International Development:

You will complete a total of six courses over two semesters stretching from
September to April.

Two are compulsory, one on the historical evolution
and paradigm shifts in politics and theories of development, the other on
contemporary issues and institutions of relevance to development policy
and practice.

The other four courses are options. These may be chosen from across the University, drawing on the expertise of faculty members within political and social science and beyond, including business, law and geosciences.

From May to August students complete either a work-based project
or a standard research dissertation.

Work-based project

We realise the importance of offering practical experiences to complement
our critical and historical approaches in the classroom. An integral part of
the programme – and one of our advantages compared to other masters
programmes in international development – are work-based projects.

These consist of eight weeks of on-location research with a host organisation in Africa, South and South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America as well as in the UK. Our extensive network of partners includes NGOs, charities, social enterprise, think-tanks and government bodies.

Research dissertation

Alternatively, you may wish to explore
an academic issue or theme in greater depth by choosing to complete a
research dissertation based on fieldwork and/or print and library sources.

This programme provides multidisciplinary training and perspectives on
development theory, policy and practice that is aimed to equip graduates
for careers in public sector and non-governmental development agencies,
consultancy and private business.

The opportunity to apply your academic
training to real-world problems and acquire hands-on work experience
through the work-based projects will give you an edge in the employment
market whatever your eventual career.

International qualifications

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)

TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 20 in each module)

PTE Academic: total 67 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)

CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)

Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

Tuition fees

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)

Applying

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make offers to the most outstanding candidates at the end of each round, with other competitive applicants being placed on a waiting list. The deadlines and response dates are as follows:

Round

Deadline

Response By

1

1st November 2018

15th November 2018

2

1st December 2018

15th December 2018

3

15th January 2019

1st February 2019

4

15th February 2019

1st March 2019

5

15th March 2019

1st April 2019

6

15th April 2019

1st May 2019

7

15th May 2019

1st June 2019

8

15th June 2019

1st July 2019

Successful applicants must accept their offer within 28 days of the response date in order to secure their place on the programme. As this programme is highly competitive, any applicants who have not responded within this time will lose their offer, and offers will be made to applicants on the waiting list as places become available.

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number
SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a
“Recognised body” which has been
granted degree awarding powers.